Gratitude breaks the spell of Writers Block |
Staring at a blank page is like staring into a snowfield. The snow, untouched by civilization and unmarked by living creatures, blinds you for a few minutes, it glistens reflecting subtle shades of pure white and rainbows at odd angles. If you stare at the snow too long, you get lost in the interplay of light and shadow. As the day wears on, you become awestruck at the beauty of the snow's perfection. You marvel at the way an oak tree cast its ebony shadow across the pure white snow. You watch the tree's shadow change, grow and shrink, as Earth turns and the sun moves from morning to evening. If you stand out in the snow too long without moving, you risk snow bite or freezing. If you are fortunate, a red fox will walk across your line of sight. The fox will leave his footprints written in the snowfield. As you watch the fox move, the spell holding you in one spot staring at the snow is broken. You are free to go inside out of the cold and out of danger. I must say, writing 500 words a day isn't difficult, unless I'm attempting to write on a single subject. On Monday, October 28, 2013, I began posting my weekly goals at "Weekly Goals" . On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 I began keeping track of may accomplished goals in this journal. "O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds." Bah'u'll'h The Hidden Words of Bah'u'll'h, Part I.'From the Arabic, #31, page 11 'Heinlein's Rules for Writers Rule One: You Must Write Rule Two: Finish What Your Start Rule Three: You Must Refrain From Rewriting, Except to Editorial Order Rule Four: You Must Put Your Story on the Market Rule Five: You Must Keep it on the Market until it has Sold' Robert A. Heinlein It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship unto God, the True One. Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of God and render thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon the day-star of wisdom and utterance shineth resplendent. Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Pages 21-29: gr 32 I changed the way I did entries in this book several times. Beginning on March 21, 2018 the entries will cover the topics of spiritual, inspirational, and religions. However, the genres it will be under are Women's, Inspirational, and Spiritual with a tag of Religious. |
Istijlal (Majesty) 11 Sultan (Sovereignty) 177 B.E. - Wednesday, January 28, 2021 On the last Thankful Thursday in January 2021, I am grateful ... ...for the chocolate cake I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to post a Thankful Thursday Gratitude list for "Thankful Thursday: January 21, 2021" . ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had on this chilly late winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the merit badges I have received this week. |
Istijlal (Majesty) 4 Sultan (Sovereignty) 177 B.E. - Thursday, January 21, 2021 Today I am grateful ... ...that I was able to use my power chair when I went to pick up my Senior commodities today. ...for the merit badges I received this week. ...that "2020: The Good, The Bad, and The Weird" was featured in "Comedy Newsletter (January 20, 2021)" . |
Istijlal (Majesty) 16 Sharaf (Honor) 177 B.E. - Thursday, January 14, 2021 On the second Thankful Thursday in January 2021, I am grateful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the merit badges I received this week for 4 years participation in "The Contest Challenge" . ...that I was able to catch up on all the bills this month, so that I can begin February without owing any past due bills. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I was able to order a Baha'i datebook for 178 B.E. in January. Last year I had to wait until April--almost a month after Naw-Ruz--to order the datebook. ...for the breakfast sweet roll I had with my coffee. ...that I discovered another quote by 'Abdu'l-Baha, because it will help inspire one or more of the 100 poems I am writing for the centenary commemoration of his ascension. "The darkness of this gloomy night shall pass away. Again the Sun of Reality will dawn from the horizon of the hearts. Have patience, wait but do not sit idle; work while you are waiting; smile when you are wearied with monotony; be firm while everything around you is being shaken; be joyous while the ugly face of despair grins at you; speak aloud while the malevolent forces of the nether world try to crush your mind; be valiant and courageous while men all around you are cringing with fear and cowardice. Do not yield to the overwhelming power of tyranny and despotism. Serve the cause of democracy and freedom. Continue your journey to the end. The bright day is coming. The nucleus of the new race is forming. The harbinger of the new ideals of international justice is appearing. The trees of hope will become verdant; the copper of scorn and derision will be transmuted into the gold of honor and praise; the arid desert of ignorance will be transformed into the luxuriant garden of knowledge; the threatening clouds shall be dispelled and the stars of faith and charity will again twinkle in the clear heaven of consciousness." Abdu’l-Bahá ...for the obsidian bracelet I received as a late Christmas present from my roommate. ...that I was able to finish cleaning out my g-mail in box this week. |
Istiqlal (Independence) 10 Sharaf (Honor) 177 B.E. - Friday, January 8, 2021 Facebook Status update Remember, the depth of the darkness indicate the brightness of the light; don't let this present darkness discourage you, we will pass through it into a brighter and united future. Jalal (Glory) 6 Sultan (Sovereignty) 177 B.E. - Saturday, January 23, 2021 Facebook Status Update January 2021 is a blessed month, when stress seems to fade into the cloudy sky. |
Istijlal (Majesty) 9 Sharaf (Honor) 177 B.E. - Thursday, January 7, 2021 On the first Thankful Thursday in 2021, I am thankful for a New Year and a new decade; for the hope I receive from studying the scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah. the Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha; for the Prayer for America: O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal. Footnotes |